“Born from Above” (Contemporary)

·11 min·1 clip

Why does a national park warn that rescues from the bottom of sand dunes cost $3,000, and how does this relate to spiritual salvation?

The sermon opens with a vivid description of Sleeping Bear Dunes National Park on Lake Michigan, where steep sand dunes lead to water. The preacher notes that descending is easy, but climbing back up is arduous, sometimes requiring hours and crawling on all fours. Park signs warn that rescues cost $3,000, illustrating the difficulty of escaping the bottom alone. This physical struggle serves as an analogy for spiritual condition. The preacher transitions to Jesus' interaction with Nicodemus from the Gospel of John. Nicodemus seeks understanding about Jesus and the kingdom of God. Jesus responds that one must be 'born from above' or 'born again' to see the kingdom. Nicodemus is confused, asking how an adult can re-enter the womb. Jesus clarifies that this rebirth is of 'water and Spirit,' foreshadowing baptism and the Holy Spirit. The preacher emphasizes that, like physical birth, spiritual rebirth is something done to us, not by us; it is God's work. The sermon then explores how this rebirth is accomplished. It references Moses lifting a bronze serpent in the wilderness to save Israelites from snake bites, a temporary salvation. Jesus connects this to himself being 'lifted up' on the cross, offering eternal salvation to all who believe. The preacher cites John 3:16-17, highlighting that God sent Jesus not to condemn but to save the world because God is love. This love is presented as God's primary motivation, greater than human sin. The application shifts to the season of Lent in the Christian calendar. The preacher, ordained during Lent, describes it as a time for introspection and release from unhelpful things. He clarifies that Lent is not about self-improvement or becoming 'holier' through effort. Instead, it's about recognizing our inability to save ourselves and depending on God's rescue. The analogy of the dunes recurs: we are stuck at the bottom, and God is the rescuer who pulls us up. The sermon concludes by encouraging listeners to find joy in this dependence, to stop trying to climb alone, and to trust in Jesus' sacrifice and God's infinite love. It ends with an 'Amen.'

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